April 6, 2008 Summit AM
Refusing To Allow Resentment To
Master Us
Introduction
A. Text – Col.3:5-17
B. Amazing how many people live in a rage
1. Many of the commentary shows on TV, radio, Internet & newsprint
2. Because someone disagrees with them – slander; hate & resentful
3. Gal.5:13-15 – learn to get along or will destroy selves
a. Then it was Jewish traditions & the Law
b. Today it might be politics opinions or anything
C. If we are going to be victorious in Christ – must deal with any & all resentment
1. Jn13:34,35 – by this shall all men know you are My disciples
2. 1 Cor.13:1-3 – nothing else really matters
3. Question – How do we keep resentment from mastering us?
D. Pray
A. Easy to fool self – thinking I don’t have a problem
1. I just stay away from certain people & situations
a. If I ignore them all is OK
b. As long as it’s not a continuous confrontation
2. Yet will allow resentment to fester inside
a. All someone has to do is remind us – easily fly apart
b. They don’t even have to be there
c. Idle thought can spark a huge imaginary argument
B. Reality – wanting revenge comes naturally
1. They’ve hurt us, wronged us some way – must be punished
a. Our pride has been hurt – how dare they act that way
b. If I don’t get revenge – will take advantage of me
2. What they’ve done can’t be
ignored
a. If I don’t stop them – will hurt others
b. God expects me to judge & punish them
A. To ourselves personally
1. Mt.18:21-35 – how many times (shall) must I forgive?
a. Answer – you absolutely must release any & all offenses
b. Putting limits on forgiveness is never God’s will
c. Parable illustrates God’s reaction to us when don’t forgive
1) Vs.32 – you wicked servant
2) Was ungrateful for the forgiveness shown him
3) Took own forgiveness for granted – easy forgive me
4) Such attitudes bring God’s wrath against us
5) Will allow us to be tormented until we do forgive
2. Inability for us to be forgiven by God – Mk.11:25,26
Never really grow spiritually – 1 Jn.4:7-21
3. To our children & grandchildren
a. Heb.12:14,15 – troubles you & also defiles many
Tense – present active participle (continuing danger)
Defile = taint or contaminate (poison)
b. OT – children to 3rd & 44th generation affected
Do we ever stop & think how our negativism hurts?
I may be doing irreparable damage
B. To
the body of Christ
1. We are His body – His representatives on earth
a. What we do & don’t do affects Jesus
b. Attitudes & actions either glorify or blaspheme Him
2. Our love is to be our
identifying mark
a. When love we are like God
b. When we hate & want revenge = like Satan
A. I say
master because that is sin’s goal
1. Gen.4:7 – sin desires to master you (did before long)
2. Rom.6:17 – each time we give in – are enslaved too
B. 1st
– Seek to have a positive attitude toward offenders & offenses
1. Our goal to be peace – restoration – to hate division
a. James 3:17,18 – wisdom from above
1) Earthly demonic wisdom divides
2) God’s wisdom sows & reaps a harvest of peace
b. Mt.5:9 – blessed are the peacemakers – sons of God
2. How do we do this?
a. Deal with the emotion – don’t bury it
1) Confess it – admit to self & God
2) Examine heart & see root of bitter feelings – Prov.26:2
3)
God uses these things to get our attention
a) Used a thorn on Paul = pride
b) Used a slave girl in Acts 16 (demon possessed)
b. Develop a spirit of thankfulness
1) Song – count your many blessings (astound you)
2)
We are so blessed
Sons of God – inherit eternal life
All spiritual blessings are ours in Christ
All situations will work out for our good
3) God is developing character in you (image of Jesus)
4) Expect to suffer because are in Jesus
Not a strange thing – Satan after you
1 Pet.1:5-7 – proves our faith is genuine
c. Voluntarily invest yourself in
your offender’s success
1) Mt.6:21 – where treasure is heart is
2) Not because you have to – because you want to
3) Phil.2:5-7 – mind of Jesus (we were His enemies)